TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady will today call on trade unionists to step up campaigning to tackle the prejudice and inequality faced by LGBT people.

Speaking at the TUC’s annual LGBT conference in London later this morning, she will say: “It’s time we re-politicised the LGBT movement. As in the past, Britain’s diverse LGBT communities can be at the vanguard of the fight against cuts, privatisation and attacks on working people.

“With the government about to unleash another round of savage spending cuts and a clamp down on rights at work, we need LGBT activists to be at the forefront. The recent vote for equal marriage in Ireland and legalisation of same sex marriage here show what can be achieved when people fight for equality and justice together.

“But let’s not kid ourselves. Many LGBT people, whether they are young or old, still face huge discrimination and injustice.

“The homophobic bullying that many LGBT children suffer in the playground can stay with them for years and lead to serious mental health issues. If you are young and lesbian, bisexual or trans, you are much more likely to end up homeless and on the streets.

“This is why the TUC is stepping up its campaigning and lobbying for greater accountability on equality issues in free schools and academies. Homophobia needs to be stamped out at source.

“It is also deeply unfair that many LGBT people approaching retirement lose out on pension entitlements that many heterosexual couples take for granted.